Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol. As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Short answer – yes, but not for everyone. Combining them can cause irritation, so if you are prone to dry skin, sensitivity or redness, stick to just one. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, combining BHAs and AHAs may be safe and even beneficial. The key to layering acids comes down to pH levels.
1) Application of AHAs and BHAs: Those with acne prone, oily skin are recommended to combine these two acids together. You can apply them at different times of the day. However, if you want to use them together apply BHAs to the oilier areas and AHAs to the rest of the face to avoid overlapping.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
Acids and retinol don't always work well together. But, you can use both in your skin care routine, as long as you apply them at the right times, in the right order, to minimise irritation and achieve the best results.
Short answer is: Yes! You certainly can. To make niacinamide and AHAs/BHA work together, layer them on your cleansed face—just 30 minutes apart. You can also use them at different times of day, use niacinamide in the morning and AHAs/BHA at night.
Can you use lactic acid and hyaluronic acid together? Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that every, and I mean every single skin type can use.
How often can you use it: A few times weekly depending on your skin type. Use less often in sensitive skin types to avoid over exfoliation. Works well with: Hyaluronic acid, other hydrators. Don't use with: Other AHAs, other peels, retinol, retinoids.
Pairing the two ingredients is safe and can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation caused by retinol. Niacinamide and retinol can be combined in one product or used as separate products.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
Retinoids and serums can be used together, especially if the serum is soothing or hydrating. Be careful using very aggressive face oil serums with retinoids.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Together? Not all powerful skincare ingredients can be mixed, but hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two that become even stronger when paired with one another. These ingredients can provide both immediate and lasting results when used together in anti-aging formulations.
Can You Use Azelaic Acid and Retinol Together? Yes, you can combine azelaic acid and retinol as components of a regular skincare routine. These complementary ingredients can help address similar skin concerns, and may even provide increased support when used together, rather than alone.
Don't use glycolic acid and retinol at the same time in your routine. Start by introducing one of them and use it consistently for a week, then switch to the other for a week. You may want to take additional time if you know you have sensitive skin.
Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
“AHA, BHA, retinol, and benzoyl peroxide can be mixed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and rosehip oil to get effective results — just ensure you are not using retinol as well as AHA or BHA's during the day," says Graf.
Introducing niacinamide into your routine when you already use hyaluronic acid and lactic acid is not as complicated as it may appear. Although niacinamide provides similar benefits to hyaluronic acid there are some unique traits that help work with the rest of your skincare routine.
It is advised to apply niacinamide after lactic acid. This ensures the acid can work at exfoliating whilst niacinamide restores hydration back into the skin barrier. This is a result of each ingredient containing different pH levels.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr.
Per those acne-fighting benefits, niacinamide is often paired with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that's a mainstay in acne products, says Dr. Frieling. Combining niacinamide's oil-reducing prowess with salicylic acid's ability to dissolve excess oil is a great way to help keep pores clear and breakouts at bay.
Yes, it is safe to use niacinamide and BHA together. Both formulas are effective yet gentle and contain additional calming and restoring antioxidants. Some people with extra-sensitive skin may find that alternating them by using one in the morning and one at night works best.
The beauty of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid is the fact you can use both together! Quite often you'll find when there is a build-up of dead skin cells the complexion can begin to look dull, dry, and lacklustre with fine lines and wrinkles appearing to look worse than they are.
Yes, mandelic acid and niacinamide can be used together, including by those with sensitive skin for exfoliating benefits and improved topical skin texture and tone.
Don't use salicylic acid with any other acid at the same time. Extreme skin irritation may occur when mixed. Avoid salicylic acid with products that contain niacinamide. Don't use glycolic acid or lactic acid in combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C).